Washer dispenser having hopper with air agitation of washers



May 12, 1964 F. M. KERGER 3,13 ,7

WASHER DISPENSER HAVING HOPPER WITH AIR AGITATION OF WASHERS Filed April 17, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l I" I i WASHERS May 1'2, 1.964 F. M. KERGER WASHER. DISPENSER HAVING HQPPER WITH. AIR AGITA'I'ION 0F 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 17', 1961 IHL J EEN May 12, 1964 F. M. KERGER 3,132,766

WASHER DISPENSER HAVING HOPPER WITH AIR AGITATION OF WASHERS Filed April 17. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 33 fizz/@7250! Frozgls/ United States Patent 3,132,766 WASHER DESIENSER HAVING HOPPER WITH AIR AGI'IATIUN 0F WASfiRS Francis Michael Kerger, 3522 Wilcox, Bellwood, Ill. Filed Apr. 17, 19151, Ser. No. 103,605 7 (Ilaims. (Cl. 221175) This invention relates to a washer dispenser for riveting machines, and more particularly to a dispenser of this type which automatically dispenses Washers into position for automatic fastening to the end of a rivet dispensed by an automatic feeding device of the riveting maclnne. Accommodation for different washer sizes is also provided which comprises simple adjustment means and minimum interchange of a few components.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide an automatic washer dispenser for automatic riveting machines which is readily attachable to automatic riveting machines currently in use.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automatic washer dispenser which provides means for dispensing washers of different sizes which comprises adjustment. means for the dispensing mechanism and readily interchangeable components for this purpose.

It is an important object of this invention to provide air turbulence in a hopper for delivering washers to a feeding tube in the sequence of dispensing operations.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an automatic washer dispenser which is simple to construct and economical to manufacture.

This invention consists of the novel constructions, arrangements and devices to be hereinafter described and claimed for carrying out the above stated objects and such other objects as will appear from the following description of a preferred form of the invention, illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Washer dispenser according to this invention, attached to an automatic riveting machine shown partially;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting arm;

FIG. 3 is a perspective View of the front part of the transfer bar;

FIG. 4 is a top View of the front part of a modified form of the transfer bar showing the transfer plate mounted thereon;

FIG. 5 is a cross section view taken on line 5- -5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a washer dispenser according to this invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of FIG. 6 showing the transfer bar extended;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section taken on line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view taken in the direction of arrows 11tl of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the forward end of the transfer bar shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a cross section taken on line 1212 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross section taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is a perspective View of the hopper tube;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the transfer plate;

FIG. 16 is a cross section taken on line 1616 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the forward end of the transfer bar of FIG. 8 showing delivery of the washer to the pilot of the automatic riveting machine.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in the several views.

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a conventional automatic riveting machine on which is mounted a washer dispenser 20, constructed according to this invention.

The washer dispenser 20, generally comprises a casing 21, provided with a cylindrical bore 22, having a piston 23 therein, for slideably operating a transfer bar 24 mounted in a channel 25 on the top of the casing 21. A transfer bar pusher 26, having a pair of side elevations 27 and 28, is slideably mounted under the forward end of the transfer bar 24 and held in slideable engagement with the transfer bar 24 by means of a transfer plate 29 having a washer receiving opening 29a therein, which is fastened to the top of the side elevations 27 and 28, and slideably rides on a stepped down face 39 of the transfer bar 24. The piston 23 is provided with a piston rod 31, which is attached to an arm 32 depending from the transfer bar pusher 26. The forward end of each of the side elevations 27 and 28 is provided with a small cylindrical bore 33 and 34, respectively, which carry a pair of transfer bar pusher springs 35 and 36, respectively, that protrude therefrom and are biased, one each against, one each of a pair of lugs 37 and 38, respectively, extending laterally, one each from each side of the forward end of thetransfer bar 24, for urging the transfer bar pusher 26 against a ledge 39 on the transfer bar 24. A hopper 40, generally oval shaped, serves as a container from which washers are dispensed, and is provided with a hopper tube 41 which has a slight taper downwardly and depends from a floor 42 of the hopper 40 through a bore 43 therein, which is slightly funnel shaped at the top and adjacent an apex 44 of the hopper 4% The hopper tube 41 is fastenedin the bore 43 by a set screw 45 and is provided with holes 46 laterally therethrough, for reasons hereinafter explained. A tube mounting bracket 47 straddles the forward end of the casing 21, and is fastened thereto by a pair of retaining pins 470: and 47b and provided with a forwardly extending arm 48 having a split collar 49 at its forward end for receiving the hopper tube 41, and for fastening it thereto by means of a fastening bolt Stl, which thereby fastens the hopper 40 to the casing 21. The retaining pin 47a, which is in a forward position, is provided with a readily disengageable retention means, such as a spring, not shown, to provide quick means for removing the retaining pin 47a so that the mounting bracket 47 may be tilted upwardly for ready access to the mechanism below the hopper tube 41, in the event of malfunction. A hopper cover 51 is provided for closing the hopper 4t), and is swingably attached thereto at one end by a screw 52 and held in closed position by a thumb screw 53 which engages a slot 54 at the other end of the cover 51.

An adjusting screw 55 is threaded into the rearward end of the tube mounting bracket 47 and locked in position by a lock nut 56. A stop block 57 is fastened to the top of the transfer bar 24, rearwardly of the adjusting screw 55, and serves to stop the forward movement of the transfer bar 24 to the adjusted position of the adjusting screw 55, and also serves to engage a plunger 58 to actuate a normally open conventional two-way air valve 5 to thereby shut off the flow of air to the hopper 4% when the transfer bar 24 returns to its retracted position, hereinafter more fully explained. The two-way air valve 55 is mounted on the rearward end of one of a pair of transfer bar supports 60 and 61 which are fastened to the top of the casing 21 and extend inwardly, partially over the transfer bar 24.

The washer receiving opening 2% of the transfer plate 29 coincides with the opening in the lower end of the to thereby accommodate washers of varying thickness so as to guard against possible jamming. The transfer bar pusher 26 is provided with a pair of holding fingers 63 and 64 pivotally mounted on the rear top side thereof by a pair of finger studs d and 66, respectively. Each of the holding fingers 63 and 6 s is provided with a depending ledge 67 and 68, respectively, having biased thereagainst a pair of finger springs 5% and 7d, respectively, which we carried in a pair of small bores 71 and 7 2, respectively, in the rearward sides of the transfer bar pusher 26. The pair of holding fingers 63 and 6d serve to prevent a Washer from being dislodged from the washer receiving opening 29:: during the dispensing operation, hereinafter more fully explained. a

The transfer bar 24- has a forked end 73, provided with a washer nest 74-, on the top thereof for receiving a washer, carried in the washer receiving opening 2% of the transfer plate 29, as it moves forward over the nest 74. The forked end 73, straddles a pilot 75, slideably carried in the top center of an anvil 76 of a conventional riveting machine. The pilot '75 is biased upwardly by a spring, not shown, and is retractable within the anvil 76. When the washer is thus deposited in the nest 74, it is lined up with the pilot 75, thereby dropping over it onto the anvil 76 when the transfer bar 24 is retracted, hereinafter more fully explained.

FIGS. 4 and 5 disclose a modified transfer bar 77. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the only difference lies in the removal of the washer nest 74 from the transfer bar 24. This modified transfer bar 77 is used in connection with conventional riveting machines which employ a pilotless anvil 7 8, FIG. 5, which is provided with an anvil nest 79. When the washer dispenser according to this invention is attached to a riveting machine of this type, the modified transfer bar 7'7 is provided, which, in combination with the transfer bar pusher 26, and the transfer plate 29, deposit a washer in the anvil nest 79 when in its forward position.

A stop block 30, depending from the under side of the transfer bar 24, is provided with a threaded bore 81 for receiving an adjusting screw 82 with matching threads 83 at one end thereof and a head 34 at the other end. The arm 32 is provided with a smooth bore 85, therethrough, in coaxial alignment with the threaded bore 81, for receiving slideably therein the adjusting screw 82, which is screwed through the threaded bore 81, thereby providing means for limiting the forward travel of the transfer bar pusher 26 to the adjusted position of the adjusting screw 32 which is locked, after adjustment, by a lock nut 36. As can be seen from the drawings, the head 84 serves as an abutment with respect to the forward travel of the transfer bar pusher 26.

For mounting the washer dispenser to a conventional riveting machine, a mounting bracket 87 is provided, which can be attached to the riveting mach ne at a convenient place. The mounting bracket 37 comprises a pair of laterally extending arms 88 and 89, terminating in split collars 9d and 91, respectively, for receiving one end of an L shaped mounting bar 92, and clamped therein by a pair of threaded studs 93 and 9d, respectively. A second mounting bracket 95, attached to the side of the casing 21, is provided with a split collar 96 for receiving the other end of the L shaped mounting bar 92 and clamped therein by a pair of threaded studs 97 and 93 which thereby completes the attachment of the washer dispenser to the riveting machine. An annular collar 99 which fits over the end of the L shaped mounting bar 2, is fastened by means of a set screw 1%, and provides a convenient means for supporting the washer dispenser during alignment, hereinafter more fully explained.

A source of air pressure is provided to operate the washer dispenser. The source of air pressure is connected to the open side of a normally closed four-way air valve, not shown, operable by conventional means, such as a foot pedal, and to the open side of the normally open two-way air valve 5? by conduits Hi2. and Mill, respective- All. ly. The open side of the normally open two-way air valve 59 is connected to the hopper 4%), adjacent the apex 44 by a conduit 1% which is positioned so as to direct air flow directly across the top of the hopper tube 41. A pair of conduits lit-4 and 105 are connected at one of their ends with respect to the rear and front ends of the cylindrical bore 22, respectively, and at their other ends to the open side and closed side of the normally closed four-way air valve, respectively.

Also shown in the drawings are conventional units for automatically lubricating the cylindrical bore 22, including a conventional air guage and conventional means for adjusting the air pressure and a conventional air filter.

The washer dispenser need not necessarily be mounted on a riveting machine. It may be mounted on a bench or stand adjacent the riveting machine. All that is required is proper alignment of the transfer bar 24 with respect to the anvil 76 of the riveting machine, as hereinafter more fully explained.

Usually it is preferable to mount the washer dispenser on a riveting machine by means of the mounting bracket 87' which is fastened to the riveting machine at some convenient place as heretofore mentioned. The L shaped bar 62 may be slid in the collars 9t and 91 for proper distance, and the washer dispenser may be rotated hori zontally on the vertical end of the L shaped bar 92 by means of the split collar 96 which is part of the mounting bracket 95 fixed to the casing 21. The collar 99 may be adjusted vertically for proper vertical alignment of the washer dispenser. After proper alignment, the L shaped bar hit is clamped in a fixed position in the split collars 9t and @l and the Washer dispenser is clamped against rotation in the split collar 96.

The alignment should be such that when the transfer bar 24 and the transfer bar pusher 26 are in their forward position the Washer being dispensed will drop over the pilot from the washer receiving opening 29a of the transfer plate 29.

Adjustments with respect to the forward movement of the transfer bar 2 3 and the transfer bar pusher 26 may be made by means of adjusting screws 55 and 82, respectively, which is apparent in the drawings. These adjustments are also used when washers of a. different size are to be dispensed, for in such an event several of the components must be replaced by others, as hereinafter explained.

When a riveting machine is in use without a washer dispenser, the washers are dropped over the pilot 75 by hand. it shall not discuss the operation of a riveting machine but will show how my invention replaces the hand operation and performs this function more rapidly and with safety.

In operation, the hopper 40' is loaded with washers.

to be dispensed, and the cover 51 is fastened. At this point it is assumed that a washer has been deposited in the washer receiving opening 29a, which will be fully explained hereinafter.

The closed port of the four-way valve is opened by suitable means, such as foot pedal, which thereby provides air under pressure to the rear end of the cylindrical bore :22 through conduit Hi4, and also provides air under pressure to the normally open two-Way valve 5? through conduit fill. The open side of the four-way valve is connected to the front end of the cylindrical bore 22 by conduit 1%. Air pressure against the piston 23 is thus provided, which moves the transfer bar pusher 2'6 forward because of its interconnection with the piston 23, provided by the piston rod 31 and the arm 32. The transfer :bar 24- also moves forward because of its interconnection with the transfer bar pusher 26 provided by the transfer bar pusher springs 35 and 36.

The forward movement of the transfer bar 24 is stopped when the stop block 57 contacts the adjustment screw 55. In this forward position, the adjustments are such, that the forked end 73- straddles the pilot 75, and

' the washer nest 74 is centered with respect to the pilot 75.

When the transfer bar 24 comes to a stop, the transfer bar pusher 26 continues to move forward against the bias of springs 35 and 36 until it is stopped by adjustment screw 82. The adjustment screw 82 is set so that when the transfer bar pusher 26 stops its forward movement, the washer receiving opening 23a is centered above the washer nest 74 and the pilot 75, whereby, the washer drops from the washer receiving opening 29a into the washer nest 74 and over the end of the pilot 75.

At this time, the operator actuates the means for operating the four-'Way valve, so as to shut off the air supply to the rear of the cylindrical bore 22., and introduce air under pressure into the front end of the cylindrical bore 22 by means of conduit 105, thereby providing air pressure against the front of the piston 23 which causes the transfer bar 24 and the transfer bar pusher 26 to return to their retracted position, whereby, at the start of the return movement, the washer nest 74 slides out from under the washer, thereby permitting it to drop down over the pilot 75 and on the anvil 76.

In retrospect, as the transfer bar 24 moves forward, the stop block 57 disengages the plunger 58, which opens the normally open two-way valve 59, thereby providing air under pressure through conduit 103 and into the hopper 40 across the top of the hopper tube 41.

The air continues to flow until the stop block 57 reenvgages the plunger 58 on the return of the transfer bar 24 to its retracted position.

The continuous flow of air under pressure during this period, causes the washers to move, generally, around the oval inner periphery of the hopper '40. The inner portion of the Wall of the hopper 40, opposite the point of air introduction, serves as a baffle or stop against which the washers are blown, causing them to drop down into the hopper tube 41, thereby loading it. The hopper tube 41 is provided with holes 46 which serve to relieve air pressure in the hopper 40, and also help to prevent possible clogging of washers in the hopper tube 41.

The washer in the lower end of the hopper tube 41 drops into the washer receiving opening 29a when the transfer bar pusher 26 is in its retracted position. The pair of holding fingers 63 and 64 are spread apart when they engage the reduced diameter 410 of the hopper tube 41 as the transer bar pusher 26 returns to its retracted position.

The cut out area 41b of the reduced diameter 41a is provided to accommodate variations in washer thickmess.

The pair of holding fingers 63 and 64 serve to prevent the washer from being dislodged as the transfer bar pusher 26 moves forward. This is apparent, as can be seen from the drawings, because, as the pair of holding fingers 63 and 64 disengage the reduced diameter 4 1a as a result of the forward movement of the transfer bar pusher 26, they move toward each other over the washer under the urging of the pair of finger springs 69 and 70'.

The modified transfer bar 77 is substituted for the transfer bar 24 when the pilot ty'pe anvil of a riveting machine is replaced with a pilotless anvil. In such an event, the washer dispenser is aligned and adjusted such that the stepped down face 30 of the modified transfer bar 77 is on a plane with the top of the anvil nest 79 and adjacent the anvil 78, so that when the modified transfer bar 77 and the transfer bar pusher 26 are in their forward position, the washer drops into the anvil nest 79.

My washer dispenser has been designed advantageously, in that it will accommodate Washers of different diameters by the interchange of a few components. When used with a riveting machine carrying a pilotless anvil, the hopper tube 41 and the transfer plate 29 are changed for the same type of components having an inner tube diameter and a washer receiving opening diameter, re spectively to match the washer size.

. direct air across the face of said tube whereby washers I When used with a riveting machine carrying an anvil having a pilot, the transfer bar 24 also must be changed, so as to provide a washer nest 74 to accommodate the washer size to be used.

I wish it to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, except only in so far as the appended claims may be so limited, as it will be understood to those skilled in the art, that changes may be made without departing from the principles of my invention.

I claim:

1. A washer dispenser for riveting machines comprising a casing, a transfer bar slideably mounted on said casing, a transfer bar pusher slideably mounted on the forward end of said transfer bar, a transfer plate fixed on the top of said transfer bar pusher, said transfer plate having a washer receiving opening therethrough, spring means interposed between the front end of said transfer bar and the said transferbar pusher whereby the said transfer bar pusher is urged rearwardly against a shoulder on said transfer bar, means operably connected to said transfer bar pusher for moving said transfer bar pusher forward and backward to its retracted position whereby said transfer bar is also moved forward and backward to a retracted position, first stop means for limiting the said forward movement of said transfer bar, second stop means for limiting the said backward movement of said transfer bar, a third stop means for limiting the said forward movement of the said transfer bar pusher, an oval shaped washer hopper terminating in an apex mounted on said casing above said transfer bar pusher, a tube depending from said apex in alignment with and in close proximity to said washer receiving opening when said transfer bar pusher is in its retracted position, and a source of air pressure connected to said apex to thereby in said hopper are blown against the wall opposite the point of air introduction and on bouncing off said wall said washers tend to drop into said tube.

2. A washer dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the said transfer plate is provided with a pair of holding fingers pivotally mounted thereon at one of their ends and spring means urging the opposite ends of said pair of holding fingers toward each other, the said opposite ends of said pair of fingers engaging the lower end of the said hopper tube when said transfer bar pusher is in its retracted position whereby the said pair of holding fingers are spread apart so that a washer may be deposited in said washer receiving opening and whereby when said transfer bar is moved forward said pair of holding fingers close over said Washer to thereby prevent its dislodgment.

3. A washer dispenser for riveting machines comprising a casing, a transfer bar slideably mounted on said casing, a transfer bar pusher slideably mounted on the forward end of said transfer bar, a transfer plate fixed on the top of said transfer bar pusher slideably engaging the top of said transfer bar, said transfer plate having a washer receiving opening therein, spring means interposed between the front end of said transfer bar and the said transfer bar pusher whereby said transfer bar pusher is urged rearwardly against a shoulder on said transfer bar, a cylindrical bore in said casing, a piston operably positioned in said cylindrical bore, a piston rod connected at one end to said piston and at the'other end to said transfer bar pusher, a source of air pressure, said source of air pressure being operably connected with respect to both the front and rear ends of said cylindrical bore, means selectively providing air under pressure from'said source of air pressure to said front and rear ends of said cylindrical bore whereby the said transfer bar pusher and the said transfer bar are moved forward and then backward respectively to their retracted positions respectively, a first stop means for limiting the backward movement of said transfer bar, a second stop means for limiting the said forward movement of said transfer bar, a third stop means for limiting the said forward movement of said transfer bar pusher, a washer hopper mounted on said casing above said transfer bar pusher, a tube depending from said hopper in alignment with and in close proximity to said washer receiving opening when said transfer bar pusher is in its retracted position, a normally open air valve mounted on the rear end of said casing, conduit means connecting said air valve to said washer'hopper and said source of air pressure, a plunger connected to said air valve, and a stop block mounted on said transfer bar operably associated with said plunger whereby when said transfer bar is in its retracted position the said stop block makes contact with said plunger to thereby close the normally open air valve and whereby when said trans fer bar moves forward the said stop block disengages the said plunger whereby air under pressure is provided by means of said conduits to said hopper whereby said air under pressure agitates washers in said hopper to thereby deposit said washers in said hopper tube.

4. A washer dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the said conduit means connected to said hopper is in alignment with the upper end of said tube whereby air is directed across the upperend of said tube.

5. A washer dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the said hopper is oval shaped and having an apex at one end thereof the said tube depending from said apex.

6. A washer dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the said tube is provided with openings through the side thereof.

7. A washer dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the said second and third stop means are adjustable.

References Cited in the file of this patent I UNITED STATES PATENTS 488,389

Devine Dec. 20, 1892 867,834 Neureuther Oct. 8, 1907 2,068,076 Rosenberg Jan. 19, 1937 2,384,738 Harvey Sept. 11, 1945 2,645,398 Anderson July 14, 1953 2,687,233 Wenckus Aug. 24, 1954 2,890,814 Hohl June 16, 1959 2,960,049 Guedry Nov. 15, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 931,557 Germany Aug. 11, 1955 

1. A WASHER DISPENSER FOR RIVETING MACHINES COMPRISING A CASING, A TRANSFER BAR SLIDEABLY MOUNTED ON SAID CASING, A TRANSFER BAR PUSHER SLIDEABLY MOUNTED ON THE FORWARD END OF SAID TRANSFER BAR, A TRANSFER PLATE FIXED ON THE TOP OF SAID TRANSFER BAR PUSHER, SAID TRANSFER PLATE HAVING A WASHER RECEIVING OPENING THERETHROUGH, SPRING MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE FRONT END OF SAID TRANSFER BAR AND THE SAID TRANSFER BAR PUSHER WHEREBY THE SAID TRANSFER BAR PUSHER IS URGED REARWARDLY AGAINST A SHOULDER ON SAID TRANSFER BAR, MEANS OPERABLY CONNECTED TO SAID TRANSFER BAR PUSHER FOR MOVING SAID TRANSFER BAR PUSHER FORWARD AND BACKWARD TO ITS RETRACED POSITION WHEREBY SAID TRANSFER BAR IS ALSO MOVED FORWARD AND BACKWARD TO A RETRACTED POSITION, FIRST STOP MEANS FOR LIMITING THE SAID FORWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID TRANSFER BAR, SECOND STOP MEANS FOR LIMITING THE SAID BACKWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID TRANSFER BAR, A THIRD STOP MEANS FOR LIMITING THE SAID FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE SAID TRANSFER BAR PUSHER, AN OVAL SHAPED WASHER HOPPER TERMINATING IN AN APEX MOUNTED ON SAID CASING ABOVE SAID TRANSFER BAR PUSHER, A TUBE DEPENDING FROM SAID APEX IN ALIGNMENT WITH AND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SAID WASHER RECEIVING OPENING WHEN SAID TRANSFER BAR PUSHER IS IN ITS RETRACTED POSITION, AND A SOURCE OF AIR PRESSURE CONNECTED TO SAID APEX TO THEREBY DIRECT AIR ACROSS THE FACE OF SAID TUBE WHEREBY WASHERS IN SAID HOPPER ARE BLOWN AGAINST THE WALL OPPOSITE THE POINT OF AIR INTRODUCTION AND ON BOUNCING OFF SAID WALL SAID WASHERS TEND TO DROP INTO SAID TUBE. 